Books in Brief: To Build A Nation

To Build A Nation, by Park Chung Hee (Acropolis, 214 pp., $10).

Korea today serves as a model for policies now called by names such as “Vietnamization” and “the Nixon Doctrine.” What the Republic of Korea did to help itself and to optimize its own resources deserves not only admiration but also close examination. President Park, largely responsible for providing direction and determination to Korea’s self strengthening, provides an almost encyclopedic treatment of Korean history and politics. His pride and confidence emerge, nevertheless, as do his realistic appraisals of current world forces. In view of Park’s success, his belief in continued success, and his attachment to qualities of work and honesty, it is not especially astonishing that he occupies a place of prominence in the liberals’ panel of bad guys. It is, however, sad. As a reading of Park’s book will reveal, he is worthy of much more.

WJ

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W. D. Jacobs

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To Build A Nation, by Park Chung Hee (Acropolis, 214 pp., $10).

Korea today serves as a model for policies now called by names such as “Vietnamization” and “the Nixon Doctrine.” What the Republic of Korea did to help itself and to optimize its own resources deserves not only admiration but also close examination. President Park, largely responsible for providing direction and determination to Korea’s self strengthening, provides an almost encyclopedic treatment of Korean history and politics. His pride and confidence emerge, nevertheless, as do his realistic appraisals of current world forces. In view of Park’s success, his belief in continued success, and his attachment to qualities of work and honesty, it is not especially astonishing that he occupies a place of prominence in the liberals’ panel of bad guys. It is, however, sad. As a reading of Park’s book will reveal, he is worthy of much more.